(likely a stupid) Battery Question (Searched)

[criticman]

Finally finding time to get the bike ready for riding. Ordered and received a new battery from Dennis Kirk.

So, it shipped "dry." What does this mean? Does it mean I need to get the battery acid? If so, from where and what qty of it?

Once filled (any details on filling, battery came with vent tube, no instructions), I assume it needs charging, correct? If so, what is the cheapest yet reliable charger? Battery Tender Jr (12volt?) ?

Thanks, looking forward to getting it on the road.

[QuaiChangKane]

Usually, wet-cell batteries come without any acid in them - this is a safety precaution, and also helps to prevent the battery from premature failure in case it spent too long of a time on the shelf before purchase. All the dry batteries I've bought in person came with a bottle of electrolyte to fill the battery with.....


If you didn't get any electrolyte with the battery, call your local motorcycle shop or auto parts store - they may sell it. If you can't find any, just fill the battery to the indicated level (typically between the "low" and "high" line, like the window on a master cylinder) with DISTILLED water (has no impurities, which can also cause a battery to fail prematurely), and charge overnight on a low-amperage charger ("trickle" or motorcycle charger).

Basically, a battery produces an electric charge by chemically eating itself. The electrolyte or battery acid is the catalyst that causes this breakdown - it's corrosive, so they can't ship the battery that way in case it leaks.

Next buy, check for a gel battery instead. You can store/use these batteries on their back or side, allowing you more storage options or even relocating its position on your bike.

As for chargers, a battery tender will take quite some time to fully charge a completely dead battery - they're just made for keeping a maintenance charge on your battery in case you go for weeks or months between rides. A trickle-charger or motorcycle-specific charger isn't much more expensive than a tender, but will usually charge an otherwise dead motorcycle battery in 8-12 hours (overnight). The appropriate sized charger for a motorcycle battery is .5 to 1.5 amps, IIRC - it's been awhile since I read what's printed on my charger...


Just don't use a car charger and don't jump from a running car.


-Q!


(Edit - I don't know if this is the first time you've had to change a motorcycle battery, so forgive me if I'm telling you things you already know - make sure you route the vent hose the same way the old vent hose was. When a battery charges, it gets hot and acid can boil over or condense in the drip tube. Make sure the hose is routed so when it drips out it doesn't drip onto your frame, engine, chain, swingarm, etc. You want it to drip directly to the street - I've seen some severe damage done to frames, swingarms, and paint from improperly installed batteries. If the vent hose doesn't fit tightly around the nipple on the battery, consider tie-wrapping it or tying it on with safety wire. If the hose is too short, you can get more hose cheaply in the aquarium section of your local pet store.)

[criticman]

Thanks. I'll hit up the auto parts store tomorrow.

[Boondocks]

...If you didn't get any electrolyte with the battery, call your local motorcycle shop or auto parts store - they may sell it. If you can't find any, just fill the battery to the indicated level (typically between the "low" and "high" line, like the window on a master cylinder) with DISTILLED water (has no impurities, which can also cause a battery to fail prematurely), and charge overnight on a low-amperage charger ("trickle" or motorcycle charger)....

QuaiChangKane, this is bad advice. criticman, DO NOT put distilled water in a new empty dry charged battery. You must add electrolyte first, which is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. Batteries work with electrolyte, not distilled water. After the battery is in use, the electrolyte level may drop a bit over time due to gassing, which is the boiling and evaporation of water in the electrolyte. Distilled water is then added to replenish the water lost from gassing. You can get electrolyte anywhere that sells batteries.

As for chargers, a battery tender will take quite some time to fully charge a completely dead battery - they're just made for keeping a maintenance charge on your battery in case you go for weeks or months between rides. A trickle-charger or motorcycle-specific charger isn't much more expensive than a tender, but will usually charge an otherwise dead motorcycle battery in 8-12 hours (overnight). The appropriate sized charger for a motorcycle battery is .5 to 1.5 amps, IIRC - it's been awhile since I read what's printed on my charger... ...

The Battery Tender is an excellent battery charger specifically designed for motorcycle use, and is perfectly usable for charging a new battery. They are not inexpensive, but are state-of-the-art "smart" chargers and can be left connected with no damage to the battery. Trickle chargers are usually cheap and can destroy batteries if they are left connected too long. They are typically "dumb" and unregulated. They do indeed deliver a "trickle" charge at low amperage, but if the voltage remains at a high level the battery will gas excessively and overcharge. Many batteries have been ruined by trickle chargers. criticman, a Battery Tender is generally considered to be the gold standard for motorcycle battery chargers, and would be a very good choice.

[Boondocks]

Finally finding time to get the bike ready for riding. Ordered and received a new battery from Dennis Kirk.

So, it shipped "dry." What does this mean? Does it mean I need to get the battery acid? If so, from where and what qty of it?

Once filled (any details on filling, battery came with vent tube, no instructions), I assume it needs charging, correct? If so, what is the cheapest yet reliable charger? Battery Tender Jr (12volt?) ?

Thanks, looking forward to getting it on the road.

See my post at Battery Activation Instructions. Electrolyte usually comes pre-packaged. When you buy electrolyte, just tell them it's for a motorcycle battery and they will sell you the smallest package. It isn't expensive.

The Battery Tender Jr is not as fast as the standard Battery Tender since it charges with less current, but it is a very good smart charger and a good choice when economy is desired.

[Baatfam]

The Battery Tender Jr is not as fast as the standard Battery Tender since it charges with less current, but it is a very good smart charger and a good choice when economy is desired.

Agreed, the BTJr is a decent choice.
But the Battery Tender Plus is better....I need to get a couple more.


Bob T.

[KGB]

And charge it with the water holes open.
Do not close off the battery, let it vent, so do it near an open window.

It will make fumes, that can be dangerous.

[Boondocks]

And charge it with the water holes open.
Do not close off the battery, let it vent, so do it near an open window.

It will make fumes, that can be dangerous.

Keith, the filler caps should always be in place when the battery is charged. The vent on the end of the battery is sufficient to relieve pressure. The filler caps should be removed only to add water or check specific gravity of the electrolyte. Charging a battery with the filler caps removed can let electrolyte splash out when the battery gasses, and can leave corrosive acid on the exterior of the battery to corrode anything it touches.

[criticman]

Thanks for the pointers. I am off to discuss our wedding with the future in-laws, but I'll be getting the electrolyte and hopefully a Battery Tender tomorrow. The stupid Battery Tender site is down with errors, so I cannot look to see who sells them around here. I checked on Autozone and Advance Auto Parts website and found that they do not sell them. Does Wal-Mart or O'Reilly?

[Boondocks]

You can save money by buying a Battery Tender online. Chaparral Motorsports has good prices on Battery Tenders. The Battery Tender Plus is $34.97 (plus $6.00 shipping) and the Jr. is $19.97 (plus $6.00 shipping and $5.00 handling if the order total is under $20.00). Orders over $100.00 have free shipping. I would recommend the Battery Tender Plus. It's higher charging rate is more appropriate for a new battery's charging requirement specifications.

Another good choice for a charger is the Battery Defender Pro for $32.95 plus shipping. It's much smaller and lighter than the Battery Tender Plus but charges about 3 times faster. The paperwork that comes with it confirms a lifetime warranty (in spite of information on the web page). It is made by Soneil, and is the same as their model 1206S, or the ACI 1206S. I think that the technology used is even more advanced than the Battery Tender Plus, and it is better in function and value. It's a 3A constant current design using computer type switch mode technology switching at about 100,000 Hz. This allows a very small transformer, hence the very small and light weight design. I have both chargers, and I use the Soneil 1206S (Battery Defender Pro) exclusively on my bike since it charges a lot faster.

[criticman]

Finally got license, insurance, and tag. So I bought the electrolytes (from Advance Auto Parts - btw, they apparently have motorcycle batteries in stock these days, although I got a better deal online), filled the battery, charged it (with the Battery Tender), good to go.